Unfortunately, theatres and concert halls have been massively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic through job and income loss, but now they’re starting to have concerts and shows again, it is so important we support them!
As such, I’m going to list 10 of my favourite concert/theatre venues in and around Manchester and Merseyside (in no particular order). There are numerous amazing concert halls and theatres in these areas, but these 10 are a starting point to places I hope a lot of you will be able to enjoy visiting.
1. The Bridgewater Hall (Manchester)
Located right in Manchester City Centre, The Bridgewater Hall is Manchester’s international concert venue, built to give the best possible space for music. It is home to three resident orchestras: the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Camerata. The Hall also programmes its own classical music season, the International Concert Series and works with a range of promoters and charity hirers on other programming. Overall, it hosts over 300 performances a year including classical music, rock, pop, jazz and much more.
Find out more: https://www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk/whats-on/
2. Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (Liverpool)
At the heart of Liverpool Phil is the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (the UK’s oldest continuing professional symphony orchestra), but The Royal Philharmonic Choir, contemporary music group Ensemble 10/10 and the Chamber Music Series are all integral parts of a concert programme which spans 400 concerts and events each year. The hall is central to Liverpool’s cultural offering, being the largest music organisation and one of the largest cultural organisations in the city, employing over 240 people and working closely with young people in the community. Liverpool Philharmonic also premieres and commissions more music than any other UK orchestra, with over 150 new works premiered or commissioned in the last 10 years.
Find out more: https://www.liverpoolphil.com/current-events/
3. The Stoller Hall (Manchester)
In the heart of Manchester is The Stoller Hall, an exceptional new concert venue based in Chetham’s School of Music (the largest specialist school of music in the UK). This intimate concert Hall offers a world-class acoustic experience, and their wide-ranging programme includes classical, chamber, folk, jazz, contemporary music, spoken word and comedy. Running through the programme is the ethos of learning, collaboration and exchange which have come to epitomise Chetham’s School of Music and The Stoller Hall’s role in the city.
Find out more: https://stollerhall.com/whats-on/
4. St Helens Theatre Royal (St Helens)
St Helens Theatre Royal is located right in the centre of St Helens and there has been a theatre on the present site in Corporation Street since 1890. The first building on the site was built in 1885 and was called the Theatre Royal and Opera House. However, after a fire in the 1890’s, that building had to be demolished and the present Theatre Royal building was opened on 20th May 1901. Still going strong today, St Helens Theatre Royal presents pantomimes, musicals, comedy shows, concerts and more.
Find out more: https://www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com/whats-on/
5. The Empire (Liverpool)
In 1866, Liverpool Empire began its life as The Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House and was run by gas light and steam power. The name changed to what it is today in 1895. It went through many refurbishments, before being bought by ATG and the theatre now stands about a quarter size bigger than it originally stood. During its time it has hosted many types of entertainment, including variety shows, musicals, operas, pop concerts, and plays.
Find out more: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/
6. The Lowry (Manchester)
Located in Salford Quays, The Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives. It presents a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike. At the heart of their work is a commitment to local communities and young people, and through work on their stages and in their galleries, they offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year.
Find out more: https://thelowry.com/whats-on/
7. The Everyman & Playhouse (Liverpool)
The Everyman and Playhouse, which are run together, are two of Liverpool’s biggest theatres, both located in the city centre. Their mission is to use the power of theatre to inspire, entertain and nurture positive social change. In their theatres, communities, schools and outside Liverpool – they hope to ignite the imagination and explore what it is to be human. Across both venues forward thinking theatre is chosen especially for audiences, and their award-winning youth arts programme, Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP), is also integrated into every aspect of their work and includes traineeships in producing, technical theatre, directing and acting.
Find out more: https://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on
8. Gladstone Theatre (Birkenhead)
Located in the heart of Port Sunlight, on the Wirral, the Gladstone Theatre was first situated in the Garden Village founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever to house his soap factory. Since then, this intimate theatre has been home to many famous shows, artists, both actors and musicians alike, comedians, dancers, and every one adds to the theatres character. It is also used by Local Operatic Societies, Musical Groups, Youth Organisations, and Dancing Schools.
Find out more: https://gladstonetheatre.org.uk/whats-on/
9. Albert Hall (Manchester)
The Albert Hall, Manchester, is a Grade II listed Wesleyan chapel in Manchester City Centre. It was closed and hidden for over 40 years but has been resurrected by Mission Mars as an unrivalled events venue, restaurant and bar. The grand and ornate chapel has been restored into a stunning music hall and is set to become one of the most atmospheric music and events venues in the UK. Throughout the year, it has a full calendar of live music and club events.
Find out more: https://www.alberthallmanchester.com/events/
10. Grand Central Hall (Liverpool)
The Grand Central Hall, Liverpool, is also a Grade II listed building, built in 1904-1905 for the Liverpool Wesleyan Mission as a centre for religious and social meetings for Methodists. The building has also been used as a cinema and as the home of Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra between 1933-1939 while the Philharmonic Hall was rebuilt following a fire. Now, this former Victorian Theatre, which can accommodate up to 1300 people has been transformed into a multi-use space that is perfect for live entertainment and more. It is aided in this by housing the largest video screen outside of Wembley and also boasting the oldest working Grand Pipe Organ in the Northwest.
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